POLITICS IN THE GILDED AGE

POLITICS IN THE GILDED AGE

The Gilded Age is a period in U.S. History between 1870 to around 1900

What does Gilded Mean ?

The Gilded Age is a period in U.S. History between 1870 to around 1900

What does Gilded Mean ?

1. To cover with or as if with a thin layer of gold.

2. To give an often deceptively attractive or improved appearance to.

1. To cover with or as if with a thin layer of gold.

2. To give an often deceptively attractive or improved appearance to.

POLITICAL MACHINESPOLITICAL MACHINES During late 1800’s, many cities run

by a Political machine. This was an organized group, headed

by a city boss, that controlled activities of a political party in a city.

Offered services to voters & businesses in exchange for political or financial support.

During late 1800’s, many cities run by a Political machine.

This was an organized group, headed by a city boss, that controlled activities of a political party in a city.

Offered services to voters & businesses in exchange for political or financial support.

Many Political Bosses were Corrupt…

Many Political Bosses were Corrupt…

HOW?HOW?

GRAFTGRAFT Many Bosses got rich through

GRAFT-the illegal use of political influence for personal gain.

To win elections, some filled the list of eligible voters w/names of dogs, children, & the dead.

Many Bosses got rich through GRAFT-the illegal use of political influence for personal gain.

To win elections, some filled the list of eligible voters w/names of dogs, children, & the dead.

BOSS TWEED& TAMMANY HALL

BOSS TWEED& TAMMANY HALL

William Marcy Tweed, a.k.a. “Boss Tweed”, one of the most powerful political bosses.

Became head of Tammany Hall, New York City’s most powerful Democratic machine.

William Marcy Tweed, a.k.a. “Boss Tweed”, one of the most powerful political bosses.

Became head of Tammany Hall, New York City’s most powerful Democratic machine.

Thomas Nast Brings Down

Boss Tweed and Tammany Hall

Thomas Nast Brings Down

Boss Tweed and Tammany Hall

The Power of the Political CartoonThe Power of the Political Cartoon

William Marcy Tweedknown as “Boss” Tweed

1823- 1878

Boss Tweed was an American politician who, with his "Tweed ring" cronies, systematically plundered New York City of sums estimated at between $30 million and $200 million. (that would be worth between $365 million and $2.4 billion today)

Fraud!Fraud!By 1870, the Tweed ring was able to milk the city through such devices as faked leases, padded bills, false vouchers, unnecessary repairs, and overpriced goods and services bought from suppliers controlled by the ring. Examples of the flagrant abuse of the public’s money

were:1) 40 old chairs and three tables: $179,792.60

(about $2 million today)2) Repairing fixtures: $1,149,874.50 (about $14

million today)3) A plasterer's wages during a nine month period:

$2,870,464.06 (about $34 million today)4) 30 months of advertising paid to a Tweed-

controlled printing company: $7,168,212.23 (about $87 million today)

Thomas Nast1840- 1902

American cartoonist, best known for his attack on the political machine of William M. Tweed in New York City in the 1870s.

Many of Nast's most effective cartoons were virulent attacks on Tammany Hall, led by "Boss" Tweed. His cartoons were probably one of the chief factors in the machine's downfall. Nast's caricature of the fleeing political boss led to Tweed's identification and arrest.

One of Nast’s most famous cartoons

speaks for itself on the brains of Tammany

Hall.

The Tweed Ring was swept from power by angry voters. The young artist, Thomas Nast, was given the major credit.

All of the Tammany Ring were convicted and sent to prison, but Tweed escaped to Spain. He was later recognized, thanks to a Nast cartoon. The cartoon was one Nast drew earlier showing Tweed in prison garb apprehending two small culprits while his crimes went unpunished. The Spanish police interpreted the cartoon to mean that Tweed was wanted for kidnapping and the word "REWARD" caught their eye. Tweed was extradited to the United States and reimprisoned.